1st Scout Ranger Regiment

The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is a Philippine Army unit specializing in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage.

First Scout Ranger Regiment
Pin Badge of the Scout Rangers
Active	November 25, 1950 – Present
Country	Philippines
Branch	Philippine Army
Type	Special Forces
Role	Anti-guerrilla jungle warfare Raiding operations Unconventional Warfare Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue
Size	5 Battalions
Part of	Under the Philippine Army
Garrison/HQ	Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan (Main)
Nickname(s)	Musangs, FSRR, Strikers, Rangers, SR, Scout Ranger
Motto(s)	We Strike
Colors	Red
March	Scout Ranger
Mascot(s)	Civet / Black panther
Anniversaries	November 25
Engagements	Hukbalahap Rebellion CPP–NPA–NDF rebellion Communist Insurgencies Islamic Insurgencies Moro conflict Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines 2013 Zamboanga Siege 2017 Marawi Crisis
Decorations	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General William Gonzales AFP.
Notable commanders	LGen Rafael Ileto AFP Gen Felix Brawner II AFP BGen Marcelo Blando AFP BGen Julius Javier AFP BGen Danilo Lim AFP BGen Reynaldu Mapagu AFP

History

The First Scout Ranger Regiment was formed on November 25, 1950 under the command of former AFP Vice Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Rafael M. Ileto.[1] The unit was modelled after two legendary fighting groups, the intelligence gathering American Alamo Scouts and the combat ready US Army Rangers, the unit was created due to a growing need to counter the Hukbalahap guerrillas and its rebellion with a force trained in small unit actions.[1] The Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the administration of Corazon Aquino.[2] Led by then Captain Danilo Lim, Major Abraham Purugganan and Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Galvez, some 2500 Rangers took over Makati in the most destructive coup attempt against the Aquino administration,[2][3] which left hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead, and hundreds more injured.

The Scout Rangers played a major role in capturing the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel camp during the 2000 all-out war against the MILF. During the Battle of Marawi of 2017, Scout Rangers were the first elite units deployed with the 1st Infantry division to neutralize the Islamic State-inspired groups the Maute and Abu Sayyaf and their leaders Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute brothers. During the battle the Rangers incurred many casualties including a veteran Captain of the battle of Zamboanga city. A Scout Ranger is credited with killing Hapilon during the final stages of battle.[4][5]

Their headquarters is based at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Units

The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the First Scout Rangers.

Battalions

• 1st Scout Ranger Battalion
• 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion
• 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion
• 4th Scout Ranger Battalion
• 5th Scout Ranger Battalion

Companies

• 1st Scout Ranger Company "Reconnaissance"
• 2nd Scout Ranger Company "Venceremos" (Sp., "We will win")
• 3rd Scout Ranger Company "Terminator"
• 4th Scout Ranger Company "Final Option"
• 5th Scout Ranger Company "Salaknib" (Iloko, "Shield")
• 6th Scout Ranger Company "The Cutting Edge"
• 7th Scout Ranger Company "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (L., "Under this sign thou shalt conquer")
• 8th Scout Ranger Company "Destruere Hostis Deus" (L., "Destroy the enemy of God")
• 9th Scout Ranger Company "Angát sa Ibá!" (Tag., "Above all others!")
• 10th Scout Ranger Company "We Lead" (Ultimus Fortis)
• 11th Scout Ranger Company "Pericoloso" (It., "Dangerous")
• 12th Scout Ranger Company "Always Ready"
• 13th Scout Ranger Company "Warrior"
• 14th Scout Ranger Company "Mabalasik" (Tag., "Fierce")
• 15th Scout Ranger Company "Mandirigmâ" (Tag., "Fighters" or "Warriors")
• 16th Scout Ranger Company "Mabangís" (Tag., "Vicious")
• 17th Scout Ranger Company "Mapanganib" (Tag., "Dangerous")
• 18th Scout Ranger Company "Makamandág" (Tag., "Venomous")
• 19th Scout Ranger Company "Dimalupig" (Tag., "Unbeatable")
• 20th Scout Ranger Company "Hellcat"
• 21st Scout Ranger Company "Mapangahas" (Tag., "Fearless")
• 22nd Scout Ranger Company "Cul Peri Duro (Tag., "Strike Hard")

Commanders

• Regimental Commanders
• 
  LtGen Rafael Ileto AFP
• 
  BGen Danilo D Lim AFP
• 
  LtGen Noel Coballes AFP

See also

• Scout Ranger Qualification Badge
• Philippine Army Special Operations Command
• 1st Special Forces Airborne Regiment
• Light Reaction Regiment
• Battle of Marawi

References

Citations

1. Strike Musang's Home Page. at WebCite (archived 2009-10-23). Retrieved on November 1, 2007. Archived 2009-10-22.
2. One Brave Man. Retrieved on November 4, 2008.
3. MUTINY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF 1989 SIEGE. Retrieved on November 4, 2008.
4. "Army commander shares how they killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute". cdodev.com. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
5. http://www.cdodev.com/2017/10/17/army-commander-shares-how-they-killed-isnilon-hapilon-and-omar-maute/

Bibliography

• Dennis V. Eclarin, Scout Ranger Combat Guide (Third Edition), 2003, The Philippine Star.
• Special Operations Forces Online Database
• History Channel Special Forces: Philippine Scout Ranger Episode